Government freight strategy fails to curtail use of lorries

With coal in rapid decline, the future looks like intermodal – but more incentives are needed to switch from road to rail.

ALTHOUGH the closure of coal-fired power stations has brought about a significant reduction in freight activity, the Government has been keen to emphasise the value of rail haulage in restricting the number of heavy goods vehicle movements and reducing the emission of pollutants.

However, a strategy document published by the Department for Transport on September 13 contained no new proposals to deter the use of heavy goods vehicles, despite acknowledging their use makes up 17% of total UK transport emissions. In comparison, total rail activity for passenger and freight accounts for just 2% of overall pollution.